The Sixth Day (A Brit in the FBI #5)(49)

“You talk her around, Barstow, and no viewing the army before I’m paid. So how much money do you have for me?”

“They’re still balking. I told you, they want the drone army, then they’ll pay. Think about it, Roman. It doesn’t really matter, does it? I mean, you’ll be paid, and we’ll begin our fight against radical Islam in Africa. Have a little faith, man.”

Roman was silent. Barstow rushed forward. “Listen, you’re going to get yourself caught at this rate, and then where will we be? Too many people are paying attention, and we can’t afford for you to be exposed.

“Roman, I understand your . . . frustration, but I’ve promised our investors the drones will be in their hands as soon as you’re paid. I will convince them to trust me, to trust you.”

“I expect to be paid in full. I also suggest you find two more investors. Do it quickly, Barstow. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll find two more investors to pay the back-end costs. I’ll get as much as I can possibly manage for you tomorrow. You know I must be careful about any large transfers, especially since you’ve brought the Drummonds to breathe down our necks. Why in the name of all that’s holy did you try to take out Harry Drummond’s son?”

Roman smiled into the phone, said softly, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, you don’t, do you? Didn’t you know? The Home Office has possession of your drone.”

His heart froze. “What?”

“Ah,” Barstow said, his voice malicious, “You didn’t know? And here I thought you knew everything.”

“But that isn’t possible, the drone has a self-destruct mechanism. We activated it—”

“And it didn’t work. Your little game must end now, Roman. We can’t afford to have any more attention that might lead to the discovery of our project, a discovery that would destroy both of us. If you stop murdering people, I’ll find a way to make sure no one links the drone to you. But, Roman, don’t think I can protect you forever. If you continue to behave in such a reckless manner, I will be forced to intercede in ways you will not like. The prime minister would be most interested in the real reason his defense minister was killed, don’t you think?”

Now this was laughable. “Do you truly think you’re in a position to threaten me, Barstow? Even if the drone failed to self-destruct, no one can trace it back to me. I’ve made sure of that. I’m not as careless as you evidently think. Now, the money, tomorrow, or you really won’t like my next step. As for your telling the prime minister anything at all, think about your own illustrious neck. Now, wouldn’t your ancestors turn over in their graves if the eighth Viscount Barstow was hung for treason?”

He cut Barstow off, turned on Radu.

“What does he mean the self-destruct didn’t activate?”

“Stop yelling, Roman! I don’t know, I don’t know. I did activate it—of course I did. Here, look.” Radu’s fingers moved on the computer’s keyboard, elegant, fast, graceful as a concert pianist. “See? It shows the self-destruct was entered three minutes after the magazine was emptied.” Radu pointed to the schematic. “The system shows it detonated. I don’t understand, the drone should be in a thousand pieces.”

“Well, it’s whole, isn’t it, and it’s your fault.” He felt rage building, building, realized his brother was cowering, obviously frightened. Of him. He took three deep breaths, fingered a microdose into his mouth. He shut his eyes and felt the LSD begin to smooth him out.

His rage fell away. He lightly touched his palm to his brother’s cheek, felt him flinch. “I’m sorry, Radu. I would never hurt you. I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. The failure of the self-destruct, these things happen. You will find out why the drone didn’t self-destruct as it should have and we will correct the problem. Obviously, the prototype isn’t ready. We’ll have to make more adjustments.

“I told you my meeting at MI5 with Drummond was moved back. It’s time for reconnaissance. We must make certain I am not suspected. Or that fool, Barstow. If he thought he could get away with it, he would bring me down in an instant. I can’t believe he threatened me with the PM, the jabbering old fool.” His hand continued to lightly pat Radu’s face. “He claims he will add two more investors. If he manages that, they’ll get a good deal, given both Donovan and Alexander already paid in half.

“I believe Drummond is the biggest threat. Arlington is already stationed at the Home Office. Have her follow him, and if it’s possible, send a drone to kill him, the others, as well.” He leaned down, kissed his brother’s forehead. “As always, I am counting on you, Radu.”

Roman was relieved when Radu smiled up at him. “Yes, I will do that.”

“Let me know as soon as it’s done. Tomorrow, at last, Barstow will pay us, and we can deliver his bloody drone army. I want to be rid of that blighter forever.”

Roman began to pace. He placed another microdose on his tongue, felt it working almost immediately. “I must take the woman tonight, and the missing Voynich pages. Healing you is my greatest priority now.”

Radu rose, placed his hand on his brother’s arm. “Roman, you are stretching yourself too thin. Too many operations, too many projects. The pages, the woman, aren’t going anywhere. Do you really think it necessary to act tonight?”